Community Corner

Y’all a couple of weeks ago I had the good fortune and great pleasure of sitting down with Kelly Quindlen.

That’s right. Author of She Drives Me Crazy, which Booklist describes as “A little sweet, a little sharp.”

And Late to the Party*, Mason Deaver, bestselling author of I Wish You All the Best, says is "An absolutely stunning, but also incredibly important novel about best friends and discovering who you are."

And Her Name in the Sky, which was featured on several must-read lists, my favorite being: 30 Books To Get You Through An Existential Crisis. Who doesn’t need a list like that these days?

Here’s our interview in full... well almost in full. I had to edit it back a bit. We gabbed for hours. Our most memorable blip is at the bottom of this newsletter. Not to offer too many spoilies, but it had us in fits AND involves nachos.

My questions are in bold. Kelly’s responses are directly below each question.

Why do you write? (Question inspired by Joan Didion’s loveliest of essays.)

I've always been drawn to the act of creating. I wrote my first story when I was six years old about the Easter Bunny. Storytelling is in my cells. If I don't write, I find myself feeling anxious or depressed. These stories live in my head regardless; putting them on paper is the challenge. I write to process, to understand myself and the world around me. It feels like playing make-believe, delving into both characters who are reflections of myself and those who offer a chance to explore something new.

The YA genre has seen an explosion of diverse themes, voices, and characters in recent years. I love that your novels do this. I felt it was particularly poignant in She Drives Me Crazy. What is the most significant evolution in YA literature over the last decade? Are we there or do we still have a ways to go? What is there for you?

I believe literature should mirror the real world, where humans are diverse in countless ways. Diversity in writing isn't just a buzzword; it's about capturing authentic reflections of people who exist. YA literature has made strides in not taking things for granted anymore, questioning why diverse characters can't have everyday stories. However, the quest for comprehensive representation is like chasing the horizon; we may never capture every single human's story. Literature is about chronicling different hero journeys, fostering empathy, and finding shared connections.

It's crucial to approach writing characters differently from oneself with humility, seeking feedback from those who share that experience. I'm reminded of Shonda Rhimes' approach to Grey's Anatomy, where multiple characters might share certain demographics but have entirely different personalities. When I wrote Late to the Party, featuring two gay black boys, I knew they needed distinct personalities beyond their shared traits. We all need to continuously self-reflect and question our motivations. Furthermore, the publishing industry needs to prioritize and market genuine voices and stories from various backgrounds.

There's no monolithic representation of any group. Diverse characters in stories can and should defy stereotypical expectations. Every individual's story is valid, even if it doesn't align with mainstream perceptions.

Your characters are so vivid and relatable. They’re people I’d want to know or in some way do know. How do you go about building a character's backstory and personality? Do they sometimes surprise you?

My characters always surprise me. I think of them as people I meet or hear about. It's like getting to know someone new: you ask the basic questions but also dive deep—like how they grew up, their family dynamics, their birth order. I always want to know more about my characters than what the reader sees, much like an iceberg where only 10% is visible, but 90% is beneath the surface. While I'm not as keen on plotting, characters are my strong suit, and I enjoy exploring the various facets of their relationships and their surprising nuances.

What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of writing for a young adult audience? And how do you navigate those challenges?

The hardest part is not trying to mimic Gen Z or keep up with their lingo and trends. Instead, I write for my teenage self because the teenage experience, that restless feeling, is universal. While some say I use pop culture references to "be cool," I only include what resonates with me. Teenagers' core experiences remain consistent across generations. So I focus on capturing the raw emotions of adolescence.

As a YA author, are there any recent YA books you've read and loved? Who are some of your favorite authors (both inside and outside YA)?

Absolutely! I adored Cold Girls by Maxine Rae; it's beautifully raw. She's a promising voice. Another standout is We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds; its layered narrative set in the South is deeply inspiring. There are always more, but those are two that come to mind.

I had a professor tell me (about writing): you’re never done, it’s just due. And though I still find writing to be deeply challenging (and rewarding), that’s helped me with perspective. Has there ever been a piece of feedback or critique that significantly impacted your writing or the direction of a story? How do you handle feedback, both positive and negative?

I had a college professor who was quite strict, a total hard ass. Still, I loved her. And my senior year, spring semester, she gave me an A minus for my final class. I was pissed, so I emailed her. She said: I think you could have pushed yourself further. She challenged me to dig deeper and question if I had genuinely explored the depths of a topic.

And it turns out, she was right. Her feedback stays with me, pushing me to always strive for more depth and clarity in my work.

Take us through a day in your life when you're deep in the writing process. Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone? How do you, KQ, write?

It varies. When I'm truly engrossed, I can forget basic things like eating. I thrive in solitude, or if I'm around others, I wear headphones with repetitive music to block distractions. I'm not a fan of writing in busy places like coffee shops. While I might not be a prolific first-draft writer, I excel in revisions, taking editor feedback, and refining my work. If stuck, I resort to writing by hand or journaling to spark ideas.

There are many young writers and readers who look up to you. (Me, me! (Even though I may not be what folks call “young” anymore.)) What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone hoping to break into the YA writing scene? Or any writing scene? (Asking for a friend who also happens to be named Ali.)

There's never a fixed "breaking in" moment in writing; it's a continuous journey. Surround yourself with supportive writer friends who share your passion. Though achieving milestones feels incredible, remember that there's always a new horizon to chase. Stay ambitious, keep growing, and constantly challenge yourself in your writing journey.

Thanks for tuning in, y’all.

Interested in chatting with Kelly? Send her a note here.

Lookin’ to befriend her on Bookworm? Follow her here.

Want to show up to the bangin’ Halloween party she’s throwing? Here’s her address.**

Eager for the best blip from our conversation? Here it is:

Yours in dirt,

Ali (@codeblue)

*Particularly attentive readers will notice that I linked (on purpose) to Little Shop of Stories, one of our featured Atlanta bookstores in a little segment we do called Brick & Mortar 4Ever.

**JK. JK. I wouldn’t do that. Privacy is important, y’all. That’s a link to our merch store.